The players on the floor sit down on the bench while the other players give up their seats while huddling to their coach.
“Banderas, that is a nice penetration of the defense but don’t forget that Managaytay is guarding the paint. You can’t easily penetrate the ball to earn a layup, stick to the plays or kick it to Mercado.”
“Yes, coach,” Justin replies.
“I want now Owens to be the center of the plays. Our opponent would watch out for Mercado’s threes, so create some plays for Owens.
“Owens, I want you to shoot mid-range. Leave the three-point shooting to Mercado since he’s specialized in it. Good job teaching him how to shoot the three.”
“Thank you, coach. Hehe,” Cesar replies.
The game commences once more with Mendoza subbing in for Cabaluna for the Pitbulls.
Manalo inbounds the ball to Mendoza and goes across the court.
Villanueva and Marquez are on the wings. Mendoza passes the ball to Marquez. And out by the high post, Managaytay gives a screen for Mendoza. Mendoza uses the screen as he cuts towards the rim. Marquez passes the ball to Mendoza and he makes a floater over Caballero who tries to deny it. And the ball goes in.
Maaravi Warriors 79:75 Charlemagne Pitbulls
4:32
3rd Quarter
Fajardo inbounds the ball to Justin. And they jog across the court.
They employ a play as the four of them are out in the three-point area, except for Fajardo who is in the post. Justin passes the ball to Mark. Mark attacks the defense as he uses the screen from Fajardo. Villanueva, who was guarding Cesar, helps the defense against Mark. Cesar then cuts along the baseline and then Mark passes the ball to Cesar. Cesar jumps very high as he is going to dunk the ball. But over him is Managaytay with his arm stretching out like a tower. Cesar counters this with a reverse layup. But Managaytay anticipates this and blocks the layup with his other hand as the ball goes out of bounds.
Maaravi ball.
Justin holds the ball for inbound. Caballero and Fajardo are on the low post, just outside the paint, while Cesar is in the middle of the paint.
The game commences as the referee sounds the whistle.
Caballero screens Managaytay for Cesar who is going to the wing and Villanueva follows him. Fajardo goes around the screen and catches the ball from Justin. As he shoots the ball, Managaytay jumps and, even though he’s being screened, reaches for the ball and denies it.
Villanueva catches the ball and throws it to Marquez who is far ahead of them in the fastbreak. Marquez dribbles the ball ahead and lays it up. Mark tries to block it but hits only the wrist. The ball goes in and the ref calls a foul on Mark.
Marks shakes his head and his fist.
‘Dang it.’
Justin comes over to him and says, “That’s ok, Mark. You only have a foul, for now. I have three. Haha.”
Mark smiles.
“Thanks, Justin.”
Villanueva shoots the free throw and sinks it in.
Maaravi Warriors 79:78 Charlemagne Pitbulls
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4:16
3rd Quarter
Managaytay is on fire in deflecting the shots and Mark is cold in his threes. Coach Perez finds this concerning and he calls for a timeout.
Maaravi Warriors 86:85 Charlemagne Pitbulls
1:07
3rd Quarter
Coach Perez sighs and says, “Mercado, don’t shoot any more threes for now. We don’t want to lose another possession again. I’m subbing you out, I need you in the latter half of the fourth quarter. Get some rest and shoot some threes when you get back.
“Banderas, good job guarding your man, that’s what I need. I’m subbing you out so that you can rest, I need you later too with Mark in the fourth quarter.
“Gomez, I’ll sub you in for Banderas. I want you to create plays for Owens.
“And Owens, shoot midrange. Managaytay is guarding the paint very well, don’t take chances driving the basket.”
“Understood, coach,” is their reply
The game commences and the players are on the floor. The Maaravi Warriors’s lineup is Canillo as center, Fajardo as power forward, Owens as small forward, Taruc as shooting guard, and Gomez as point guard.
It’s Maaravi ball.
Caballero inbounds the ball to Gomez and they jog across the court. Gomez and Taruc are by the wings. Gomez passes the ball to Taruc with Canillo setting a screen for him. Taruc uses the screen and Villanueva helps the defense against him. He then kicks the ball to Cesar. Cesar, inside the three-point line, shoots the ball.
Bucket of fried chicken.
Maaravi Warriors 88:85 Charlemagne Pitbulls
0:57
3rd Quarter
Manalo inbounds the ball for Mendoza. And they run across the floor, it’s fast-paced now.
Mendoza passes the ball to Villanueva. Mendoza uses the screen of Managaytay and gives also a screen for Manalo who uses the screen across the paint. Fajardo goes around the screen and goes in front of Manalo, denying him a pass. Villanueva passes the ball to Managaytay, who is at the free throw line, and he drives it down to the basket. Canillo can’t contain a juggernaut that is in front of him as he gets bodied and driven back. Managaytay eventually slams it down one-handed with authority.
Canillo lets out an air, wide-eyed.
Maaravi Warriors 88:87 Charlemagne Pitbulls
0:47
3rd Quarter
Gomez runs across the court as he gets the ball. Again, on the wings are Taruc and Gomez. Gomez passes the ball to Taruc and uses a set screen of Canillo. But this time, Villanueva stays close to Cesar. He sees Fajardo at the post cutting across the paint and passes it to him. Managaytay chases after him and blocks the ball.
Canillo tries to putback but Managaytay immediately jumps and blocks the ball again. Marquez gets the ball and sprints across the court, leading the charge.
Marquez tries to lay the ball up. And as the ball rises up, Cesar rises up with it, knocking it out of bounds.
Marquez looks at him with a smile and says, “As always.”
Cesar smiles back.
Charlemagne inbounds by the baseline with Mendoza holding the ball. Marquez is under the basket and then goes towards Villanueva, giving him a screen. Villanueva uses the screen but Cesar goes around and quickly catches up to him. Marquez goes towards the big men as they screen for him, Taruc can’t get through as the elevator closes in on him. Marquez catches the ball, shoots, and drains a two-pointer.
Maaravi Warriors 88:89 Charlemagne Pitbulls
0:29
3rd Quarter
Canillo inbounds the ball to Gomez, and they quickly run across the court. Gomez passes the ball to Taruc and again uses the set screen of Canillo. Taruc sees the defense against Cesar sag a little bit and bounces the ball to him. Once Cesar receives the ball, Villanueva closes in on him. Cesar uses the screen of Taruc and shoots with Marquez contesting his shot. As the arrow launches from the bow, it finds its mark.
Maaravi Warriors 90:89 Charlemagne Pitbulls
0:18
3rd Quarter
Manalo inbounds the ball to Mendoza, they immediately run across the half-court. Mendoza then passes the ball to Villanueva and uses an off-ball screen as he cuts towards the basket. Villanueva passes Mendoza the ball as he lays it up with the ball in the air, Cesar jumps so high into the sky and swats the ball below.
Fajardo gets the rebound and throws the ball to Gomez who is furthest ahead. But a tank has been moving ahead like a Bugatti. As Gomez lays it up, Managaytay blocks the ball and it bounces off the board.
Mendoza gets the rebound, dribbles closer to the rim, and shoots the ball.
It has found its mark… at the buzzer. Mendoza drains the half-court shot.
Maaravi Warriors 90:92 Charlemagne Pitbulls
0:00
End of 3rd Quarter
His teammates celebrate around Mendoza as they go to their seats.
The Maaravi team gets back to their seats with their heads bowed down. And the crowd is silent in their seats.
Mark sees all these take place and says to Justin, “It sure is intense out here. I can’t believe he drained the shot with three seconds on the clock. And did you see Cesar blocking Mendoza before that? And did you see Managaytay block Gomez?”
“Phew, a lot is going on right now. Throughout the game, we have the lead. But now, they are leading,” Justin replies.